After the Eskapade I stopped in at Mark’s for a cup of tea and we discussed ideas for the January ultra. We came up with a rough plan to create some sort of hybrid of the Circo and the Sea to Summit, taking in bits of the 7 Hills and also Mons Hill from Johnny Muir’s 17 Wards run last year. This would give plenty of options for people to join or drop out during the day. So fifteen of us started at The Steading including Keith on his bike. Mark would run the first section back to his house and then join Keith on the bike for the rest (pun intended). Highlight from the first leg was a scramble up the Blackford Arête, new to some people and a favourite of mine. We lost a few ladies at Queensferry Rd as they went in search of coffee and cakes closer to town while the rest of us continued on towards South Queensferry. Our challenge on the way was to find the top of Mons Hill. Rachel had recce’d this at night but wasn’t 100% sure of the route or whether she’d actually found the summit. We kept heading upwards and found a pile of rocks that seemed to be the top. It looked pretty hard going on the bike with lots of mud. By now the cafe stop couldn’t come soon enough!
Refuelled with hot rolls, cake, drinks, and even an ice cream for me, we set off on the 2nd half. We were joined for various sections of this by Mike and Neil as Mike had parked his car at Ratho and then moved it to Currie. At the Bridge Inn in Ratho we stopped for a quick half, and Brian decided to make it a full pint and finish his run there (may have been slightly envious), but he was substituted by Will who’d run out along the canal to meet us. We’d almost run a marathon by now and Allermuir was still a bit of a trek. On the way up a nice trail beside Heriot Watt we were met by Chris who¹d run the route in reverse from Hillend, and Mark punctured. When we made it to Currie Lee took a lift home with Mike and Phil chose the Water of Leith over Pentlands.
The rest of us were rewarded with a great sunset and full moon occasionally popping out as we climbed into the hills. Head torches on for Caerketton and the final descent, my legs were certainly hurting by now but Pete was still bounding downhill effortlessly (very envious). Well done everyone, especially those that ran the full way, approx 59km with 1200m ascent: Rachel, Michelle, Pete, Lucas, John and myself, plus Mark and Keith all or part by bike. Thank you to Carnethy for once again organising my birthday party, it was well worth the trip from York!
Jeff Roberts